REFERRING to the letter from P Young of Chepstow, fox hunting is a useful method of pest control. It may be the hounds will catch the fox in which case they will kill it or – which is more likely – the hounds will not catch the fox but they will drive it away from the area, in which case it will be some time before it returns.

Either way, much to the satisfaction of the farmer and safety of the chickens, fox hunting remains a useful method of pest control. When fox hunting resumes, long may it continue.

– Anthony Reeve, Oak Way, Littledean.